Device for controlling lighting, more especially inside the passenger compartments of vehicles and control , method therefor

ABSTRACT

A device for controlling lighting, especially inside the passenger compartments of vehicles, including at least one light source and at least one sensor which influences the light source and which detects at least the movement of a body within the active range of the sensor. A control unit, which is used to control the light source according to a sensor signal provided by a sensor, is associated with the light source. Control means, which are controlled by the control unit, track the light from the at least one light source according to a sensor signal corresponding to the position of the body. The invention also relates to a method for controlling the device.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority of German Patent Application 10251 133.0, filed on 31 Oct. 2002, the disclosure of which is herebyexpressly also made the object of the present application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device for controlling lighting, moreespecially for the interiors of automotive vehicles in accordance withthe preamble of claim 1 as well as a method for controlling said devicein accordance with the preamble of claim 14.

STATE OF THE ART

As a rule, lamps radiate light when a switch is closed. In this case thelamp shines in a predetermined direction, for example, in the case oftable lighting preferably downwards, for wall lighting, for example, atan angle into the room etc. If we wish to alter the lighting where thereis a plurality of lamps, normally speaking additional switches have tobe closed or respectively opened to switch the lamp on or respectivelyoff.

Such an arrangement is known in the area of lighting for lamps withvarious preferred directions, for example lighting inside passengervehicles. At an angle at the front between driver and passenger there isan inside light region with several lighting directions that are oftenprecisely defined one from another. The selection of the “passenger”lighting direction, for example, is meant to prevent the driver beingdazzled during the journey. To this end, a lamp is activated, thepreferred direction of which points to the passenger, so that he isable, for example, to read a map when traveling at night withoutdisturbing the driver. Often there is an additional type of lightingprovided which, with an extended lighting angle, lights up the regionbetween driver and passenger. In addition, as a rule, there is a“driver” lighting direction analogous to the “passenger” lightingdirection.

Up to now the activation of these lighting devices is triggered by meansof mechanical switches. For ergonomic reasons, the switches are situatedin the direct vicinity of the lighting means, that is to say in thepassenger vehicle in the so-called “roof area”. To switch one on, it isconsequently necessary to operate one of the switches referred to abovethe head. To this end, a good sense of where the button is located isrequired, in the majority of cases, however, the driver has to look atthe lighting device when he is operating the switch. This means that thedriver takes his concentration off the road.

An apparatus is known in DE 298 22 554 U1, on which the preamble of theindependent claims is based, said apparatus, by means of imageacquisition, adapts lighting means to a lighting requirement that hasbeen changed by a movement. For this purpose, a receiving unit thatacquires an image is provided in the form of a camera sensor. The imagestaken are transferred to differential value forming means, whichrecognize, on account of the difference between consecutive images,whether or not a body has moved and the light tracks the same in adirection-dependent manner. To influence the cone of light of the lightsource, setting means can also be provided which track the light whenthe body moves such that the cone of light is expanded in a limitedmanner. This results in a reduction in the light intensity, but there isno tracking of the amplitude and where applicable of the direction ofthe light in dependence on a movement pattern of the body recognized bythe sensor, as can occur, for example, when the light is dimmed due tothe movement of a hand. The use of image-acquiring means with subsequentimage processing makes the system additionally very expensive.

DE 196 53 682 makes known a control apparatus, which controls devicesfor influencing the conditions in a functionally divided room independence on the position and dwell time of a tripping means such as aperson. Such a device can also be lighting. The preferred area ofapplication, however, for example, is data switching in museums orwithin the framework of a multimedia show. The word “movement pattern”does appear in column 3, lines 1-5, how however the movement patterninfluences which unit remains open on account of the emphasis on thedwell time for controlling the device and also on the functionalbreak-down of the room.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,028 A makes known a means for detecting the positionand movement of surfaces or respectively persons situated in a room.Ventilation, but also lighting are adapted to the requirement in theroom, changes in the room, such as, for example, also the location ofpersons being detected by means of a reflection measurement. Certainmovements or sequences of movement are not taken into consideration,instead of which the entire room is scanned with spotlights.

DE 197 37 761 A1 makes known a monitoring system, where a first movementindicator detects a movement of an object and, in dependence on thedetected movement, a light beam of a second system tracks the movingobject. The detection of certain movement patterns is not provided.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,137,042 a certain acoustic or light event isassociated with a certain movement or approaching of a user and thisacoustic or light event is played back by means of a computer. Light cancertainly also be influenced in terms of amplitude, however no specificsequences are coupled to specific movement patterns.

Patent Application DE 199 52 795 A1 makes known an apparatus where theinterior light is only switched on by moving a hand towards the insidelighting of a motor vehicle. This saves the “searching” for the lightswitch and consequently represents an improvement in driving safety.Another advantage is the omission of mechanical switches and theresultant freedom of design. This arrangement, however, is difficult tooperate if more than one lighting direction is selected. In that case,the driver has to turn his gaze to the lighting device again in order tomove his hand closer to the correct lamp and consequently obtain thedesired light direction. (See DE 42 32 972 C2 for additional in-carlighting.)

For dimming the lighting, contact-free dimmer switches are known, forexample, in DE 40 03 581 A1, which, for example, utilize the reflectionof an approaching hand. A corresponding solution with a photoelectricbarrier is known in DE 198 12 555 A1, where a short interruption in thepath of the light rays leads to activation and deactivation and a longerinterruption leads to dimming. Intuitive operation is consequently notguaranteed.

Former Patent Application DE 101 33 823.6 makes known a sensorarrangement for determining the position of a body, for example a fingerin all three dimensions. Using this type of sensor arrangement, theposition of a hand movement to the left or right, or respectivelyforwards or backwards can be determined. At the same time, this sensorcan detect the removal of the hand. When such a sensor arrangement isused, the number of possible lighting directions is obviously freelydeterminable.

European Patent Application EP 706 648 A1 makes known an optical systemfor detecting a change in the reflection at an object, where changes inoutside light do not exert any influence on the measured value. Thissystem is used substantially as a windscreen wiper sensor for detectingthe raindrops falling on a windscreen, but can also be used as aproximity sensor. Two measuring sections are set up there between thetransmitting element and the receiving element. Whereas the transmittingelement emits the rays, the receiving element determines the reflectionreflected at the surfaces or objects. The two measuring sections areoperated in time segments via a clock generator. The detection signalsdetected by the receiving element are analyzed in a synchronousdemodulator, which is controlled by the clock generator, back intosignals which are can be associated with the individual measuringsections. The useful signal determined by comparing the measuringsections is passed on to an evaluation unit. If a uniform reflectionoccurs at the two measuring sections, a useful signal of zero isproduced. The useful signal is passed to a signal centering level.Depending on whether there is control voltage at its output or not, thevolume of radiation radiated into the measuring sections is regulatedwith this control voltage such that the detection signal is regulatedback to zero. Consequently, it is possible to detect changes at the sametime as having reliable compensation of outside light.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Proceeding from this state of the art, the object of the presentinvention is to create a device for controlling lighting with simple,intuitive operation, which where necessary can also be operated blind.In addition, a method to control this device is also to be created.

This object is achieved with a device with the features of claim 1 orwith a method with the features of claims 14.

In this case, a sensor detects at least the position of a body in theactive region of the sensor—and where applicable also the body movingcloser to the sensor—and decides with a control unit not only whetherthe corresponding light source should be activated or deactivated but,where necessary, also in which direction the light prepared by thislight source is to be radiated. As the effective direction is guided inthe direction of the body moving away, there is a simple, intuitivecontrolling means. With several lighting directions, consequently lightis tracked in the desired direction. However, it is also possible totrack the light in terms of amplitude in dependence on the position orrespectively the distance of the body and consequently in terms ofintensity, such that contactless dimming is produced.

Further advantages are produced from the subclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention is described in more detail below by way of the enclosedfigures of one exemplified embodiment. In which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a device according to the invention located inthe roof area of a vehicle,

FIG. 2 is a top view of the device in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a side view of the sensor in FIG. 2 to illustrate thedirection detection regions,

FIG. 4 is a representation of the device with a body moving closer,

FIG. 5 is a representation of the device according to FIG. 4 with a bodymoving away in a certain direction,

FIG. 6 is the device orientated as in FIG. 4,

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the control unit,

FIG. 8 is a top view of a device in a second exemplified embodiment,

FIGS. 9 a-9 c are diagrams of the distance, the light intensity and thesignal for activating the direction detection means over the time whenactivating and orientating the device,

FIGS. 10 a, 10 b are diagrams of the distance and the light intensityover the time for the deactivation of the device,

FIGS. 11 a, 11 b are diagrams of the distance and the light intensityover the time in the event of an unintentional activation and subsequentdeactivation of the device,

FIG. 12 is a circuit for three-dimensional positional detection,

FIG. 13 is a circuit for a one-dimensional positional detection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXEMPLIFIED EMBODIMENTS

The invention will now be described in more detail by way of examplewith reference to the enclosed drawings. However, the exemplifiedembodiments are only examples which are not to restrict the inventiveconcept to any certain arrangement.

The figures show a device for controlling lighting, more especially forthe interiors of automotive vehicles, the exemplified embodiment beingexplained by way of in-vehicle lighting. The described specificembodiment, however, can easily be transferred to lighting in general,such as, for example, table lamps. In all cases there is a contactlesscontrol of a control unit 27 with associated control means 34, whichthen guarantee the supply with light in the range desired by the user,wherein however there is not only—as in the state of the art—contactlessswitching, but also a light source is tracked in dependence on a sensorsignal, corresponding at least to the position of the body 24, of themovement of the body or of a part of the body 24 such as for example ahand, a leg or a finger, in terms of amplitude and/or in terms ofdirection. The concept—body—here is a general term including not onlyparts of the human body but can also include generally arbitrary objectsthat are to be tracked by a light source.

In general, for this purpose there is provided at least one light sourceto supply light and at least one, for example, switching sensor 7influencing the light source, said sensor detecting at least themovement of a body 24 in the active region 18 of the sensor. A controlunit 27 is associated with the light source for controlling the lightsource in dependence on a sensor signal supplied by the sensor. Thecontrol means 34, controlled by the control unit 27, then tracks thelight of the at least one light source to the movement of the body interms of amplitude and where applicable dependent on direction. To thisend, the sensor 7 has means for recognizing a movement pattern of thebody, which means are preferably formed by means of optoelectronicelements for the non-image recognition of the movement pattern in theform of light diodes and photo diodes. However, other suitablerecognizing means can also be used. By way of the data regarding theposition and where applicable the distance of the body, collected inthis way, it is deduced how the user would like to adjust the light. Tothis end, means are provided for creating a sensor signal in dependenceon the movement pattern, such that the control means 34, on account ofthe sensor signal, track the light of the movement of the body in termsof amplitude and where applicable dependent on direction.

This is now explained using the example of a lighting device, moreprecisely in-vehicle lighting, as it can be used more especially for theinteriors of automotive vehicles, for example, in the roof area of avehicle, or for the seat lighting in an aeroplane. Nevertheless, thistype of intuitively operated device can also be used in other areas, forexample in the area of indoor furniture or in workshops.

The lighting device has at least one sensor 7 switching at least onelight source 4. Control means 34—identified below as switching andselecting unit 34—are controlled by the control unit and track the lightof the at least one light source in dependence on a sensor signalcorresponding to the position of the body 24 to the movement of the bodydependent on amplitude and/or dependent on direction. The sensor 7 candetect at least the position of the body 24 but preferably also itsproximity in a three-dimensional manner. Several and/or separate sensorscan be provided for this purpose, however, in principle one singlesensor is enough as long as it is capable of supplying the necessarysensor signals regarding proximity/distance and/or position of the body24.

An intensity control 31 is preferably provided for the brightness,wherein said intensity control responds when the body 24 approaches theactive region 18 of the sensor and exceeds a predetermined value 40, andit controls the light at partial output when the predetermined value isexceeded and continues to control it in such a manner that the lightbecomes brighter up to a maximum output when the body 24 moves away,that is to say the intensity increases, and, where proximity to thesensor 7 increases, the light becomes dimmer until it is finallydeactivated, that is to say the intensity is reduced. If therefore thepredetermined value is exceeded and the light is activated, the userdetects that something “is happening”. In a purely intuitive manner, hethen moves his hand away and thereby obtains the desired increase inbrightness and also alignment towards his hand or respectively the body24. If the intuitive operation should so require, this principle can bereversed in such a manner that the intensity is reduced when the bodymoves away from the sensor and the intensity is increased when the bodyapproaches the sensor.

In the exemplified embodiment in FIG. 1, the lighting means of the lightsource are 5 mm white light-emitting diodes 4 with lens. The lensproduces a narrow-angled beam 5, 6 of the light. The LEDs are disposedon a bar 2 in a housing 1 for example in the roof area of a motorvehicle in such a manner that they can emit light in five differentdirections through a translucent window 3. For greater light emission,several light-emitting diodes 9 to 13 per light direction are disposedmechanically in a row (FIG. 2). In the direct vicinity of the lightingarrangement there is a sensor 7 for recognizing a certain movementsequence in its vicinity. This sensor 7 controls the light-emittingdiodes according to a recognized movement pattern.

Taking the example of in-car lighting, a hand 24, as the body to berecognized, is moved towards the lamp in FIG. 4 to activate and controlthe light. In the vicinity of the lighting device, for example 15 cmaway from it, the lighting is activated (FIG. 4). In order not to dazzlethe driver, activation is effected preferably at partial output orrespectively intensity, for example at only 50% of the maximum output.As long as the user moves his hand at a constant distance from thesensor, the light intensity remains unchanged. The user then pulls hishand in the direction in which he would like to have the light, in theexemplified embodiment in FIG. 5 to the left. The sensor 7 detecting themovement detects the direction of movement of the hand 24 away from thelighting device and selects one of, for example, five directions. Therow of LEDs disposed in this direction of movement is then activated at100% output, whilst the remaining LEDs are deactivated. If the userwishes to direct the light at any particular time, he has only to movehis hand 24 keeping a constant distance between his hand and the sensor7, the light following the movement at constant brightness. In order togive the user the impression of one single light, with respect to theangle of radiation the light sources or LEDs radiating in the differentdirections do not have to be disposed in rows but can be mixed uptogether or respectively can be nested.

Consequently, with a simple, intuitive hand movement the light can beactivated and directed into the desired direction.

The user moves his hand 24 back in the direction of the lighting deviceto deactivate it. In the vicinity of the lighting device, for example ata distance of less than 15 cm, the brightness regulating means 31regulates the light strength to lower values analogous to the proximity.This also gives the user the feeling that something “is happening”. Asthe body moves closer, when the lighting has been regulated down, forexample to 10%, the light is deactivated. The light is deactivatedconsequently in just as simple a manner as it is activated.

The regulating down of the light when the body gets closer is based onthe following: If the active region of the sensor 7 is brushed over bymistake by a random movement, it does not result in the lighting beingdeactivated in a manner which is perhaps surprising to the user.Rathermore, the regulating down of the lighting indicates to the userthat he is in the active region of the sensor. He can then move awayfrom there without deactivating the light—or he can deactive the lighton purpose by moving closer.

The proximity of the hand 24 must be recognized initially before themovement pattern can be recognized. At the same time, the positionshould be recognized with reference to the central axis or respectivelycentre of the direction detection region 21 in FIG. 3. The sensor unit,for this purpose, for example, has two light-emitting diodes 14, 16, inthe effective region of which direction detection is possible in thedirection detection regions 20, 22. The direction detection regionstogether define the active region 18 of the sensor. To this end, in aknown manner, light that is alternately clocked and radiated by thelight-emitting diodes 14, 16, can be reflected, for example, on a body,like the hand 24 and can be received by a receiving means like the photodiode 15. The recognizing of the position of the body with reference tothe direction detection region occurs in FIG. 7 in the circuitarrangement of sensor unit 28, proximity detecting means 29 andthreshold detection means 30. The circuit arrangement 28/29 supplies asignal for the proximity and the circuit arrangement 28/33 supplies adirection signal.

The signals for the first recognition of the hand 24 in FIG. 4 at, forexample, a distance of 15 cm and for a second recognition of the hand inthe direct vicinity of the sensor unit, for example at 3 cm, areassociated with the proximity signal in the threshold value detectingmeans 30. The brightness regulating means 31 converts the distance datainto brightness data for the LEDs 9-13. The logic unit 32 links the datacoming from the threshold detecting means 30 and the brightnessregulating means 31 to a brightness and switching function for theswitching and selecting unit 34.

This occurs in the exemplified embodiment from an idle state in thefollowing manner: If a hand 24 is moved towards the sensor unit 28, thislatter outputs a signal 28 a for proximity and position to the proximitydetecting means 29. This latter reacts only to signals which correspondto the hand moving closer, and passes them on to the threshold detectingmeans 30 and the brightness regulating means 31. At a predeterminedproximity, for example, 10 cm, the threshold detecting means 30 outputsa first output signal 30 a to the logic unit 32. This latter thenoutputs a control signal 32 a to the selecting unit 34, as a result ofwhich the switching and selecting unit illuminates all LEDs 9-13 at, forexample, 50% brightness.

If the hand 24 is moved away again, the logic unit 32 recognizes this bythe switching back of the threshold signal 30 a and then evaluates thebrightness data 31 a determined from the distance of the hand in such amanner that the brightness increases as the distance increases. At thesame time the selecting unit 34 is activated via a control signal 32 b.This selecting unit evaluates the data coming from the direction andposition detecting means 33 in order to make a direction-dependentselection of the light-emitting diodes 9-13. This means that aharmonization of the light position and the hand position is guaranteedby selection of the LEDs pointing approximately in the direction of thehand 24 that is moving back. For reasons of simplicity, only the firstof, for example, each of four LEDs is represented in FIG. 7 which allpoint in the same direction.

When a certain distance between the hand 24 and the sensor is exceeded,for example 30 cm, the threshold detecting means 30 detects this andoutputs a second output signal 30 b to the logic unit 32. This logicunit locks the selecting unit 34 with a control signal 32 b andmaintains the current position of the light emission.

Consequently, with the hand moving closer to the lighting unit, thelight is activated at half intensity. When the hand moves away in thedesired direction, the light is regulated brighter and is directed tothe position of the hand. As it moves further away, the light remains inthe desired position.

To deactivate the lighting, the hand is put up towards the lightingdevice once again. From a certain vicinity, for example 15 cm, thethreshold detecting means 30 outputs a control signal to the logic unit32. This latter links the data of the brightness regulating means 31 tothe switching and selecting unit in such a manner that if the handcontinues to approach the sensor the strength of the lighting isdecreased. Where a certain distance is fallen below, for example, 3 cm,the threshold detecting means 30 outputs a second signal to the logicunit 32, which as a result deactivates the light via the switching andselecting unit 34. To activate the lighting again, the hand has first tobe moved away from the lighting device by a minimum amount, for example15 cm. As a result, the lighting device reverts to the idle state.

Up to now, the exemplified embodiment has been explained using as thelight source a number of lighting means, which are disposed in such amanner that they can each shine in different directions. Alternatively,one or a plurality of lighting means can be driven via a motor,preferably a setting motor, in such a manner that direction-dependentillumination is also possible by tracking of the lighting means.

The sensor can be shaped in an arbitrary manner. For example, ultrasoundsensors, capacitive sensors and also optical sensors can be used todetect the distance and the position.

It is also conceivable to operate without the distance detecting means,if it is possible for the sensor to react in not such a user-friendlymanner. In this case, only the data of the position detecting means 33in FIG. 7 is evaluated. It is assumed here that, as a rule, whilst ahand is approaching the sensor, the position changes relative to thecentral axis of the direction detection region 21 in FIG. 3. Thischange, as it were a “wobble”, is perceived all the stronger the nearerthe hand comes to the sensor unit. If this change exceeds apredetermined value, the lighting device is activated. After determiningthe position of the hand, the LED row pointing in the correspondingdirection is activated as the sole one. If no changes in the positionalvalues are made then for a predetermined period of time, it can beassumed that the hand has moved away. The position detecting means 33 ismonitored again for deactivation. If the change exceeds a predeterminedvalue, by the hand moving closer, the lighting is deactivated.

Obviously, the direction of the lighting does not have to be restrictedto one plane, or respectively to only five positions. Former PatentApplication DE 101 33 823.6 makes known a sensor arrangement fordetermining the position of a body, for example a finger in all threespatial dimensions. Using this type of sensor arrangement, the positionof the hand movement can be determined to the left or to the right, orrespectively forwards or backwards. At the same time, this sensor candetermine the removal of the hand 24. When using this type of sensorarrangement, the number of possible lighting devices is obviously freelydeterminable. To obtain intermediate values, every other adjacentlighting angle can be activated at the same time, for example at halfintensity in order to obtain the same brightness when the angle of thelighting is altered. Such an arrangement is shown in the exemplifiedembodiment in FIG. 8. The photo diode 37 is in the centre of thearrangement and the LEDs 36 necessary for position determining aregrouped in the form of a cross around the photo diode. The laterallyradiating LED 38 compensates for outside light, as is made known in EP706 648 A1. All other LEDs 35 shine in different directions. Obviously,the sensor arrangement can also be mounted outside the lighting device,an arrangement inside the lighting means simply offers the advantage ofintuitive operability.

FIGS. 9 a to 9 c show the correlation between the distance of areflecting object, in the exemplified embodiment a hand, and theswitching and regulating operation of the lighting. The curve 39 in FIG.9 a corresponds to the hand moving closer to the sensor apparatus. Froma proximity of ca. 15 cm, corresponding to position or threshold value40, the lighting is activated in accordance with the curve 41 of thelight intensity in FIG. 9 b at approximately half light output. Goingeven closer leads to a decrease in intensity of the lighting and movingaway leads to regulation to full light output. At the same time, thedirection detecting means is activated during a period of time 42 inFIG. 9 c, in this case the light “follows” the moving hand. Thedirection detection means can be deactivated, for example when fulllight output of the lighting is reached, that is if the hand has beenmoved away in the desired direction of the light. Consequently, thisguarantees that if the hand is inadvertently moved closer to thelighting unit, the direction does not suddenly veer round and possiblydazzle the driver.

Deactivation is effected in a similar manner to activation. FIG. 10 ashows a movement sequence 43, where the hand has initially moved asclose to the lighting unit as possible until the brightness regulatingmeans 31 responds at a distance corresponding to the threshold 44. Thisshows the user that he is in the active region of the sensor. Movingeven closer initially results in FIG. 10 b in a further decrease 45 ofthe lighting down to zero. Lighting of, for example, less than 10% cantransfer directly to deactivation at the point in time 46.Alternatively, it can also be provided that the light is reduced to 10%the first time the hand moves closer and is fixed at this light outputand that deactivation only occurs the second time the hand is movedcloser in order, for example, to avoid inadvertent wrong operation.

If one were to approach a deactivated lighting unit inadvertently, suchthat the lighting was activated unintentionally, a curve 47 according toFIG. 11 a would be produced. Going even closer until in the directvicinity of the lighting device, the light can immediately be regulateddown and deactivated at the time 48.

Consequently, an intuitive and extremely simple operation of asensor-controlled lighting device is provided.

As a rule, it is preferable for the sensor arrangement to be operatedwith a nonvisible wavelength, for example infrared, whilst the lightingunit will operate naturally in the visible wavelength range. However,with the electronics designed in a corresponding manner, the lightingdevice itself can also be incorporated into the sensor function. In thiscase one or several lighting LEDs, pointing in the correspondingdirection, are operated in the short term as sensor transmittingelements. If this occurs, for example 50× a second for, for example, 0.2ms, this corresponds to a “light output” for the eye of a hundredth ofthe possible overall light strength. This then in practice is perhapsjust visible as a weak glimmer. Depending on the switching state, in themeasuring intervals the lighting device is then either activated ordeactivated, or respectively in the regulated state.

FIG. 12 shows a possible design for a sensor circuit according to formerGerman Patent Application 101 33 823.6. If something is not explainedbelow, reference is made to the disclosure content of this PatentApplication, the content of which is hereby expressly made the object ofthe present Application. The figure shows an opto-electronic apparatusfor detecting the position and/or movement of a body, said apparatusincluding several transmitters A, B, C, D for emitting luminousradiation.

At least one receiver E, for receiving the rays emitted by thetransmitters A-D and reflected by the body, is associated with thetransmitters. Between the transmitters, the body and the receivers,depending on the circuitry, several radiation sections are formed whichdiffer from each other, in the case of light these are light sections,in which at least one part of the transmitters A-D and the receivers Eparticipate. The transmitters are controlled by a clock generator 110.

The signals detected by the receivers are passed on to an evaluationdevice, which converts the signals received by the receivers E from thedifferent light sections initially into two-dimensional values x, y fordetecting the position and/or the movement, for example of a hand in oralong a surface. To detect the position and/or movement of the body in athree-dimensional manner, the clock circuit in FIG. 12 then activatesthe transmitters A-D and/or the receivers E in an additional clock pulsein such a manner that the space, in which the transmitters A-D arebeaming, is illuminated as far as possible uniformly at the same clockoperation. The evaluation device can then, on account of the radiationreflected by the body during this additional clocking, determine a valuefor determining the distance of the body from the surface.

The position, for example of the hand above a given surface can bedetermined in the simplest manner by two separate sensor elements,which, for example as shown in FIG. 12, are disposed in the shape of across. One sensor element with the transmitters A, B determines thehorizontal position and the other element with the transmitters C, Ddetermines the vertical position. The measured values determined fromthe reflected light each produce the horizontal or vertical position ofthe body outside the operator interface. FIG. 13 explains the principlefor detecting the position in a one-dimensional manner. The transmittersA, B are, for example LEDs, the receiver E is, for example a photodiodeor a light diode correspondingly wired as a receiver. The transmittersA, B are controlled in an inverted manner by means of the inverter. Inthis case, their output is regulated by the regulating resistors R1, R2in such a manner that there is a constant light portion with noclock-synchronous alternating portion at the receiver E. Contrary to EP706 648 A1, however, the efficiency ratio of the transmitting elementsis not adjusted consciously in a time-delayed manner but as quickly aspossible. This means that there is an immediate reaction correcting thecontrol voltage for the transmission of the transmitting elements in theevent of the body 24 changing its position.

The static value of the control voltage is required for determining theposition. In order to obtain this value where possible independently ofthermal influences or ageing influences, the control voltage U_(R,1),U_(R,2) supplied to the individual regulating resistors R1, R2 is tappedto adjust the output power and is compared with the comparator V III.The value determined via the comparator V III represents the electricalvalue of the mechanical position, for example of a hand in the xdirection. The signal determined by the receiver E is supplied to a highpass 123 and a synchronous demodulator 122 and is compared in a clockpulse manner by means of subsequent comparison in the comparator V II.Where a body 24 is present, there is consequently a value for thecontrol voltage that is supplied in a reverse manner to the regulatingresistors R1, R2.

Without the presence of the body, parasitic reflection, with thecorresponding design, scatters approximately the same portions oftransmitting power from A and B reciprocally to the receiver E. In thiscase the control voltage remains almost uninfluenced, that is at zero.When a body moves in a non-symmetrical manner closer to the centre, thecontrol loop attempts to adjust the light output in such a manner thatthere is once again a constant light signal with no alternating lightportions at the receiver E. This results in a displacement of thecontrol voltage symmetry at the regulating resistors R1, R2 andconsequently also in an output signal at the comparator V III dependingon the positioning of the hand 24 to the right or left of the centralpoint of the mechanical arrangement. The output signal assumes more orless positive or respectively negative values, as can be seen at thebottom on the right in FIG. 1 when a hand is moved.

The measuring section represented can obviously only fulfill aone-dimensional function. Two separate measuring sections, offset fromeach other where possible by 90°, are required to detect the position ina two-dimensional manner. The receiver E can be used in common for thetwo measuring sections, that is A, B and C, D. In this case, the lightsection in the x direction and the light section in the y direction areclocked in a two-way alternate manner. This can be effected by changingover in each case after several clock periods, for example 30×A/B andthen 30×C/D or by changing over after each clock cycle. The onlyimportant point is that the measured value output is correspondinglyassociated with the respective clock cycles.

To detect the third dimension, where the surface 112 is flat, theposition of the body in relation to the surface 112 has to bedetermined. If we assume an almost flat arrangement of the opticalelements, that is to say if we assume that no transmitters or receiverprotrude upwards out of the surface 112, the position of the body can bedetermined substantially through just reflection R. To detect theposition in the third dimension, in accordance with FIG. 12, at leastone additional clock cycle is added to the two clock cycles fordetermining the x value and the y value of the position of the actuatingelement on the surface 112. In this additional clock cycle thetransmitters A-D are controlled in such a manner that they all or atleast a part thereof obtain the same clock signal, that is to say theyall illuminate at the same time. In this case it is not necessary forthem to be individually regulated, as is necessary for determining theposition in the x and y direction. In addition, at least one additionallight source 120 is disposed as compensation means in the vicinity ofthe receiver or receivers E in such a manner that the light radiatedfrom this additional light source beams almost exclusively into thereceivers. If ambient light is not an issue, there is no need for thesecompensation means.

If the body approaches the surface 112, this is recognized by means ofrecognizing means 114 and can, for example, activate the determining ofthe position in the x and y directions. Each movement away from thesurface 112 leads to a change in the control voltage U_(R3D), which isproportional to the distance between the body and the surface 112. Theclock circuit has a clock distributor 125, which not only controls therespective transmitters and receivers, but at the same time alsocontrols the output controlling means 136 in a corresponding manner suchthat the corresponding measured values Mw_(x) and Mw_(y) can be detectedby the comparators V2 and V3.

The sensor 7, which is used, for example, in a table lamp analogous toFIG. 4, recognizes the body 24 is approaching for deactivating thedevice. Where a predetermined distance, which corresponds to a maximumof the outside boundary of the active region 18 of the sensor, betweenbody and sensor is fallen below, the control means 34, if the bodycontinues to move closer to the sensor, gradually switch, regulate ordim the light source down until the light source is extinguished.

When the body 24 makes a movement in the active region 18 of the sensorat a constant distance from the sensor, that is, for example, on acurved path, the light is tracked at constant intensity in adirection-dependent manner. Consequently, particularly when used in thevehicle, this guarantees that no unintentional abrupt dazzling of thelight is possible. If the amplitude is influenced, the device can alsobe used, for example, on a table lamp in order to influence theintensity of the light in a contactless manner just by means ofmovement, that is, for example, for step by step switching or continuousregulating or respectively dimming.

For the gradual tracking of the light intensity, that is to say fordimming the light, the control means 34, proceeding from a state withpredetermined light intensity at a predetermined position of the body24, alter either the intensity in the one direction when the body 24continues to come closer, or in the other direction when the body 24moves away again. Consequently, for example, light can be dimmed orrespectively regulated up to a certain point. If there is a movementopposing the respective direction, however, the intensity obtainedremains the same until another movement is made past the obtainedintensity. In addition, below a predetermined intensity, the light canonly be reduced down to deactivation.

For operation, the user moves his hand 24 towards the lamp as the lightsource. From a certain point the sensor recognizes that a predeterminedvalue has been exceeded and activates the light preferably at halfintensity, but where applicable also at full intensity. Depending on thedirection of movement of the body towards the sensor or away from thesensor, the intensity or brightness of the light is altered. Where theintensity is reduced, the control means can evaluate the control signal,for example in such a manner that there is only a change in thebrightness when the body approaches the sensor and not when it movesaway (or vice versa). This can be effected, for example, via a counter,which only counts in one direction. Or where the intensity is increased,proceeding from its activation state or from the last adjusted outputstate, the sensor detects the body moving away and tracks the brightnessup to maximum intensity, the body moving closer subsequently resultingin the desired brightness being set (or vice versa). However, thecontrol means can only allow an increase to maximum output orrespectively a reduction to minimum output.

In addition, more especially when the device is to be operated blind orwithout being looked at, an indicating device can be provided foracoustic acknowledgement with at least one sound or acoustic pattern. Independence on the movement detected by the sensor, this indicatingdevice generates at least one sound or one acoustic pattern, differentacoustic patterns being generated preferably for deactivation oractivation of the light source or for tracking, dimming or regulating.

The exemplified embodiment related expressly to the control of light. Inorder to illustrate the transferability of the principle to other areas,all that is necessary is to replace light with air and to replace thelighting device by a ventilating device in the exemplified embodiment.There is then a substantially analogous design, which, for example, canbe used for controlling a ventilating means. Devices for controllinglighting, ventilation or so on are basically known in the form of, forexample, alarm systems or also means for controlling ventilationsystems, means to control the temperature of heating plates or even ofwater outlets. In all cases there is contactless control of a controlunit with associated controlling means, which then guarantee the supplyof the respective medium (in the examples referred to light, air, heatand water) to the extent required by the user.

Points of the invention, which can also be used on their own, areconsequently:

-   -   The use of a sensor, which carries out a determination of the        position of the body without image acquisition and image        analysis.    -   The use of light-emitting diodes and photodiodes or even just        light-emitting diodes as opto-electronic elements for        recognizing movement patterns.    -   The recognition of intuitive movement patterns for activation        and deactivation and more especially for dimming a light source.    -   The use of the principle also for controlling devices for        preparing other media.

It is obvious that this description can be subject to the most varied ofmodifications, changes and adaptations, which are to be found in theregion of equivalents to the attached claims.

List of References

-   1 Housing, e.g. roof area-   2 Bar-   3 Translucent window-   5,6 Radiation-   7 Proximity/direction sensor-   9 First LED in a first LED row-   10 First LED in a second LED row-   11 First LED in a third LED row-   12 First LED in a fourth LED row-   13 First LED in a fifth LED row-   14 First LED of a proximity/direction sensor-   15 Photodiode of a proximity/direction sensor-   16 Second LED of a proximity/direction sensor-   17 Compensation LED-   18 Active region of the sensor-   20 Direction detection region, left-   21 Direction detection region, centre-   22 Direction detection region, right-   24 Hand-   27 Control unit-   28 Sensor unit-   28 a Signal for proximity/position-   29 Proximity detecting means-   30 Threshold detecting means-   30 a First output signal-   30 b Second output signal-   31 Brightness regulating means-   31 a Brightness data-   32 Logic unit-   32 a Control signal-   32 b Control signal-   33 Direction detection means-   34 Switching and selecting unit-   35 LED for lighting-   36 LEDs for determining the position-   37 Photodiode-   38 Compensation LED-   39 Movement sequence “activation”-   40 Threshold value for “activation”-   41 Light intensity at activation operation-   42 Time period in which direction detecting means is active-   43 Movement sequence “deactivation”-   44 Activation threshold of regulating means-   45 Regulating brightness-   46 Shutoff moment-   47 Inadvertent activation-   48 Shutoff moment-   110 Clock generator-   112 Surface-   120 Additional light source-   121 Inverter-   122 Synchronous demodulator-   123 High pass-   125 Clock pulse distributor-   136 Output regulating means-   138 Memory-   139 Memory-   140 Memory-   A-D Transmitters-   E Receiver-   d Distance-   Mw_(x) Measured value x-   Mw_(y) Measured value y-   VII, VIII Comparator-   V1-V3 Comparator

1-31. (canceled)
 32. Device for controlling lighting, for the interiorsof automotive vehicles, the device comprising: at least one lightsource; at least one sensor which influences the light source anddetects at least the movement of a body or of a part of the body withinan active region of the sensor; and a control unit associated with thelight source for controlling the light source in dependence on a sensorsignal supplied by the sensor by means of control means, which tracksthe light of the light source in dependence on a sensor signal, thesensor signal corresponding at least to a position of the body,indicating movement of the body; wherein the sensor includes means forrecognizing a movement pattern of the body; wherein means are providedfor generating a sensor signal in dependence on the movement pattern;wherein, on account of the sensor signal, the control means tracks thelight to the movement of the body in terms of amplitude and, whereapplicable dependent on direction.
 33. Device according to claim 32,wherein the sensor includes optoelectronic elements for non-imagerecognition of the movement pattern.
 34. Device according to claim 33,wherein the sensor is an optical sensor, the optical sensor disposedinside the controlling device.
 35. Device according to claim 32, whereinthe light source is formed by an LED or by a plurality of LEDs disposedin rows.
 36. Device according to claim 32, wherein the light source isformed by at least one LED, which is at least partially a part of anoptical sensor unit adapted to be the sensor.
 37. Device according toclaim 32, wherein there are several light sources provided which arenested together with respect to their direction of radiation.
 38. Deviceaccording to claim 32, wherein the sensor detects the position and/orproximity of the body in a three-dimensional manner.
 39. Deviceaccording to claim 32, wherein the light source includes lighting means,which work in various directions, and wherein the control meanspartially activate the lighting means for tracking in a direction of thedetected body.
 40. Device according to claim 32, wherein a motor isassociated with the light source, the control means controlling saidmotor for tracking the light source in a direction of the detected body.41. Device according to claim 32, wherein an intensity control isprovided for regulating intensity of the light emitted from the lightsource, said intensity control responding when the body approaches theactive region of the sensor and exceeds a predetermined value, andcontrolling the light source at least at partial output when thepredetermined value is exceeded.
 42. Device according to claim 41,wherein the intensity control controls output of the light source insuch a manner that the intensity increases to maximum output when thebody moves away and decreases to a minimum value or until it isdeactivated when the body continues to approach the sensor.
 43. Deviceaccording to claim 32, wherein an indicating device for acousticacknowledgement is provided with at least one sound or acoustic pattern.44. Method for controlling a device for controlling lighting, moreespecially for the interiors of automotive vehicles, supplying a sensorsignal by a sensor; generating a control signal in a control unit independence on the sensor signal, the control unit associated with alight source and the control signal controlling at least one lightsource; detecting at least movement of a body or of a part of the bodyin an active region of the sensor; and control means tracking the lightsource in dependence on a sensor signal of the movement of the bodycorresponding at least to position of the body; wherein the sensorrecognizes a movement pattern of the body; wherein the sensor signalgenerated in dependence on the movement pattern in such a manner thatthe control means tracks light to the movement of the body in terms ofamplitude and where applicable according to direction on account of thesensor signal.
 45. Method according to claim 44, wherein the controlmeans partially activates lighting means of the light source, working indifferent directions, for direction-dependent tracking in the directionof the detected body.
 46. Method according to claim 44, wherein thecontrol means controls a motor, associated with the light source, fordirection-dependent tracking of the light source in the direction of thedetected body.
 47. Method according to claims 44, wherein when the bodyapproaches the active sensor region of the sensor, the sensor being anoptical sensor, associated with the light source, a value of positionaldetection deviates by more than a predetermined value from a centralaxis of a positional detection region, this is recognized as a movementpattern and light is activated in direction of the body or isdeactivated.
 48. Method according to claim 47, wherein the lightdirection determined by the positional detection of the body is retainedif no more change in the position of the body is detected.
 49. Methodaccording to claim 44, wherein the sensor detects proximity of and theposition of the body in a three-dimensional manner.
 50. Method accordingto claim 44, wherein an intensity control responds when the bodyapproaching the active sensor region is recognized as a movement patternand the sensor signal exceeds a predetermined value, and the lightsource is operating with at least partial output when the predeterminedvalue is exceeded.
 51. Method according to claim 50, wherein theintensity control continues to control an output of the light source insuch a manner that when the body moves away intensity increases tomaximum output and when the body continues to approach the sensor theintensity decreases to a minimum value or respectively until it isdeactivated.
 52. Method according to claim 51, wherein the outputdecreases to the minimum value on the first approach and is onlydeactivated if the approach continues.
 53. Method according to claim 44,wherein when a predetermined distance between the body and the sensor isexceeded, a current direction of operation is fixed.
 54. Methodaccording to claim 44, wherein the sensor recognizes a movement patternand the control means controls the device by way of this movementpattern, the control comprising: activating the light source with atleast partial intensity as a result of the body approaching; increasingthe intensity and directing at the same time the light in the directionof the body as a result of the body moving away; and retaining theintensity of the light in a desired position as the body continuouslymoves away.
 55. Method according to claim 44, wherein the sensorrecognizes approaching of the body for deactivating the device and wherea predetermined distance between the body and the sensor is fallen belowand when the body continues to approach, said distance corresponding toa maximum of the active region of the sensor, the light source isgradually turned down or regulated down until the light source isextinguished, where applicable when the body makes repeated approaches.56. Method according to claim 44, wherein where the body makes amovement in the active region of the sensor at a constant distance fromthe sensor, the light is tracked in a direction-dependent manner atconstant intensity.
 57. Method according to claim 44, wherein forgradual tracking of light intensity, the control unit, proceeding from acondition at predetermined intensity with a predetermined position ofthe body, either changes the intensity in one direction if the bodycontinues to approach, or changes it in the another direction if thebody continues to move away, and in that obtained intensity is retainedat least until a new movement is made past the obtained intensity. 58.Method according to claim 57, wherein below a predetermined intensity,the light is only reducible until the light source is deactivated.